CNU's Morrast energized under new assistant Faragalli

Christopher Newport quarterback Marcus Morrast did little research on new assistant coach Mike Faragalli, but saw enough in their brief time together to be impressed.

"He's got a lot of championship rings," Morrast said, "which is very encouraging for our program."

Indeed, the well-traveled Faragalli has been on a handful of championship staffs, among them the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the Canadian Football League and the University of Richmond's 2008 FCS title team.

CNU's new quarterbacks coach and primary play caller brings 30 years of professional and Division I experience. Though he said he's simply trying to fit in and help the passing game, his impact is evident, even in just the first few days of preseason camp.

"They know of his experience and they respect it," Captains head coach Matt Kelchner said. "They can see it's a very advanced level of football knowledge with Mike Faragalli and they understand that, they see it."

Faragalli, who assisted CIAA North Division champ Virginia State last season, took up Kelchner on his offer last winter to replace the late Ed Davis as quarterbacks coach and play caller. He came on board last spring and spent the past several months familiarizing himself with coordinator Dan Antolik's offense, the program and the players.

"I respect everything that I saw when I got here," Faragalli said. "I'm just trying to help as best I can, tweak a few things here and there, especially in the passing game, as far as the concepts and how we're attacking."

Faragalli has a veteran to work with in Morrast, a senior entering his third year as the starter. He's the ringleader of an offense that returns nine starters and several more experienced players from a team that finished 8-2 last season.

Morrast, a dual-threat quarterback, passed and ran for more than 1,600 yards and scored 13 touchdowns last season.

"Marcus is really smart, as far as picking things up, reading coverages, knowing what the defense is doing," Faragalli said. "He's a very coachable guy. Eager to learn, learn new things. Put it to work on the field. That part's been a pleasant surprise, as far as being a fourth-year player and you ask a kid to do some new things, it's not easy sometimes."

But Morrast said that he and the offense are energized by Faragalli's teachings. He said the terminology is a little different and often simpler. He said that Faragalli has introduced some new concepts to the passing game, such as incorporating running backs more often and plays designed to spread the field, from sideline to sideline.

Faragalli's emphasis with Morrast thus far is some of the finer points of quarterback technique: pre-snap and post-snap reads; footwork; quicker release on certain throws; head and eye discipline.

"He pretty much has the arm strength to make all the throws," Faragalli said. "Now, it's just a matter of repetition and becoming as accurate as you can be prior to the first game. It's working on consistency at this point."

Morrast throws a nice deep ball, but Kelchner said that he'd like his quarterback to be more accurate in the short-to-medium passing game. He completed just 52 percent of his passes last season, though he threw only three interceptions.

But asked if he had statistical goals for Morrast, Kelchner responded: "Ten-and-oh, that's my statistical goal. He could be a 40-percent passer (but) if we win 'em all, he's OK with me. I don't pay much attention to that. If he throws an accurate ball that's catchable and a kid can advance, that's what I want to see."

Morrast said that he needs to improve at identifying passing lanes, because at 5-foot-10, he can't always see over linemen. Individual statistics mean little to him, as well.

"I haven't really thought too much about it," he said. "I've never been one to think about stats. As long as I do my job, the stats will come. That's how I feel. It can either be a good play or a bad play. If you have more good than bad, the stats will come."

Morrast's only statistical goal this season: play all 10 regular-season games. He missed one game last season and wasn't himself in a couple others. He injured his right (throwing) shoulder versus Shenandoah, then aggravated it again the following week in a loss to Methodist. He sat out the following game and then was only a shell of himself in a loss to Maryville, when he had only one official carry.

He said the shoulder injury made him apprehensive about running for several weeks, which negated one of his assets. He is an effective, instinctual rusher with the ability to extend plays and evade defenders. He began his career at CNU as a running back and was moved to quarterback midway through the 2012 season. He threw well enough, and his running ability added another dimension to the offense.

Though Morrast is the only experienced quarterback on the roster, that won't alter his approach.

"I think I'm just going to go out and play my game," he said. "I don't plan on getting hurt. I plan on being a little safer this year."

Faragalli looks forward to working with Morrast and seeing how far he can take the offense. Morrast, an even-keel presence, conducts himself like an upperclassman and three-year starter.

"I feel very comfortable with my offense," Morrast said. "I feel comfortable more this year telling them what to do, instead of letting some stuff slide in practice. I feel more in charge, and I think the guys know that as long as they protect me and I play well, I think we can go really far."